Hybrid trailer system

• US 8,215,436 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ken Degrave, William Mcmillan
• Original Assignee: Ken Degrave, William Mcmillan
• Inventors: DeGrave, Ken, McMillan, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): AVERY, BRIDGET D
• Application Number:
  US11/968,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20080169144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• Field of Search: 180/165, 180/14.1, 180/14.2, 180/14.4, 180/14.7, 180/235, 180/243, 180/65.21
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/18 Reluctance machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/08 Controlling the braking effect B60L7/04, B60L7/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/18 Controlling the braking effect B60L7/12, B60L7/14, B60L7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/604 Merging friction therewith; Adjusting their repartition
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1708 for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 59/04 driven from propulsion unit on trailer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A system and related method for a regenerative braking system on a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or semi-trailer. The system provides power and braking to the respective trailer wheels, as needed, to help stabilize the trailer. Power is regenerated during braking. While batteries may be used to store the energy, the system also may use capacitive storage units, which charge and discharge large amounts of energy at a fast rate. A multiple-axis sensor system in conjunction with wheel sensors, load sensors, and proportional control of the brakes and motor power to the axles and wheels, is used to achieve superior load stabilization. The invention can be easily retrofit into new or used trailers, and is self-contained with low maintenance.

Claims

1. A regenerative braking system for a towed vehicle, comprising:

one or more motors mounted on a separate slider unit adapted to be removably attached to a towed vehicle, said motor or motors adapted to recover energy from regenerative braking of the towed vehicle when the slider unit is attached to the towed vehicle;

an energy storage system mounted on said slider unit in electrical connection with said motor or motors; and

an electronic controller mounted on said slider unit and adapted to monitor a trailer connection between the towed vehicle and a towing vehicle when the slider unit is attached to the towed vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one multiple-axis sensor mounted on the slider unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage system comprises one or more capacitors or batteries.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor or motors are adapted to apply power to one or more wheels of the towed vehicle when the slider unit is attached to the towed vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller controls the application of power from the motor or motors based on data from the trailer connection.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the towed vehicle is a semi-trailer.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more load resistors connected to the energy storage system.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a brake actuator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein energy generated from the system is used to supply power to cargo being transported on the towed vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system can be turned off from a towing vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein wheels of the towed vehicle can be independently powered or braked by the system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein there is a motor for each wheel or axle of the towed vehicle.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a load sensor connected to the electronic controller, the load sensor adapted to determine the mass of the load in the towed vehicle, wherein the controller determines the amount of torque the motor or motors need to generate to assist in the acceleration or deceleration of the towed vehicle based on input from the load sensor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor or motors are switched-reluctance motors.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the motor or motors are adapted to apply power to one or more wheels of the towed vehicle when the slider unit is attached to the towed vehicle.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic controller controls the application of power from the motor or motors based on data from the multiple-axis sensor.

17. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic controller controls the application of power from the motor or motors based on data from one or more of the following:

the multiple-axis sensor, the trailer connection, and the wheel speed of the towed vehicle.

18. The system of claim 2, wherein the multiple-axis sensor comprises three axes:

an x-axis adapted to monitor the acceleration and deceleration and angle of inclination of the trailer;

a y-axis adapted to monitor the turning force and banking of the driving surface; and

a z-axis to monitor the smoothness of the driving surface.

19. The system of claim 7, wherein regenerative braking continues after the energy storage system has reached maximum charging capacity by directing excess energy to the load resistors.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the system can be turned off by three or more taps of a brake on the towing vehicle.